Deborah Cox first impacted hips and ears with 1995's "Sentimental," a top five R&B hit that also introduced her to pop audiences. But her career eventually found a new groove - on the dance floor.

The Canadian singer is one of clubland's mightiest divas, racking up 11 chart-toppers on Billboard's Dance/Club Play chart that still regularly fill floors. (Her favorites include girl-power anthems "Absolutely Not" and "Beautiful U R.")

"It's a bit of a surprise to me, that the remixes have taken on lives of their own. They have, in some ways, become the definitive versions," she says. "I think once an amazing foundation has been laid, there can be infinite versions, because it is something that connects with people. It doesn't matter how the story is told, as long as the story is told.

"It opens up the idea that nothing is absolute when it comes to music and it comes to art, even though you might feel like one version is the only version - just like 'Jekyll & Hyde.' "

Indeed. Cox is currently starring in a reimagined version of Frank Wildhorn's "Jekyll & Hyde" musical, which ran for almost four years on Broadway. "American Idol" heartthrob and Tony nominee Constantine Maroulis takes on the title role(s) of the scientist and his violent alter ego. Cox plays Lucy, the hooker with a heart of gold who entrances his dark side.

The original "Jekyll & Hyde" premiered at the Alley Theatre in 1990 and developed a rabid fan base that still holds tightly to the show. This new incarnation treks across the country before opening in April on Broadway.

"I kind of feel like this is, in some ways, like me remaking a classic song," Cox says. "I feel like people have heard the wonderful, amazing versions of 'Someone Like You' and 'A New Life' that Linda Eder did. And not to draw comparisons, but I feel like when people say, 'You should do a remake of that,' it implies that you have the tone or the style or the timbre of voice that would suit that song.

"There's been nothing but really good vibes and positive feedback from the audience and from the Jekkies. They're excited to hear what I'm going to do with these songs. I feel like I've already gotten their blessing in some ways."

Houston is only the second stop on the national tour, but reviews have praised the "top-notch cast" and called the show "sexed-up, high-tech and garishly campy." Like "steampunk meets 'The Rocky Horror Show,' " wrote a critic for the North County Times of the San Diego performance.

Cox made her Broadway debut in "Aida" as the titular heroine, but she was stepping in as a replacement in a currently running piece. Despite the history that comes with "Jekyll & Hyde," this is essentially a new production with only a general blueprint. Several songs that were cut from the original run have been reinstated, including Cox's rousing "Bring on the Men." Cox and crew have been in rehearsals since August with director and choreographer Jeff Calhoun ("Newsies," "Grey Gardens," "9 to 5").

Though she wasn't familiar with the musical, she connected with the story's universal themes.

"When I was asked to do it, I embraced it," she says. "I didn't even know there was this love interest in the show. I think it's really important for me to tell her story, obviously from my perspective, and from what I draw from what she's saying in the music and the songs."

It seems inevitable that the cast recording will spawn a few signature Cox remixes. (A concept recording featuring the current cast was released last month.) But no matter what shape the music takes, Cox simply seems happy to be making it.

"People get so caught up in labels. I'm a singer. I'm a storyteller. It shouldn't matter what style of music it is. As long as people are feeling it, then you've won the battle," she says. "I really don't take myself so serious. It's not that deep to me. It's all about making sure when I'm onstage, that I'm touching someone in a way that's going to make them feel something and motivate them in a positive way. I always come from a place of my love. That's my agenda."